Page 1

PASSAGE 2

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the

best answer to each of the following questions.

The response of most animals when suddenly faced with predator is to flee. Natural selection has acted in

a variety of ways in different species to enhance the efficacy of the behaviors, known as “flight

behaviors” or escape behaviors that are used by prey in fleeing predators. Perhaps the most direct

adaptation is enhanced flight speed and agility.

Adaptations for speed, however, are likely to require sacrifices biter attributes, so we might expect only

some species to adopt a simple fast flight strategy. Another way of enhancing the effectiveness of flight is

to move in an erratic and unpredictable way. Many species, like ptarmigans, snipes, and various antelopes

and gazelles, flee from predators in a characteristic zigzag fashion. Rapid unexpected changes in flight

direction make it difficult for a predator to track prey. In some species, like the European hare, erratic

zigzag flight might be more effective in the presence of predators that are faster than they are and straight

flight more effective against predators that are slower. One observation that supports this suggestion is the

recorded tendency for slow-flying black-headed show frequent changes in flight direction when they spot

a peregrine falcon (peregrines are adept at capturing flying birds).

A quite different way of enhancing escape by flight is to use so-called “flash” behavior. Here, the

alarmedprey flees for a short distance and then “freezes.” Some predators are unexcited by immobile

prey, and a startling flash of activity followed by immobility may confuse them. “Flash” behavior is used

in particularby frogs and orthopteran insects which make conspicuous jumps and then sit immobile. In

some species, “flash” behavior is enhanced by the display of bright body markings. Good examples of

insects with the colorful markings are the red and yellow under-wing moths. At rest, both species are a

cryptic brown color. When they fly, however, brightly colored hind wings are exposed, which render the

moths highly conspicuous. Similarly, some frogs and lizards have brightly colored patches or frills that

may serve a “flash” function when they move quickly. Some species even appear to possess “flash”

sounds. The loud buzzing and clicking noises made by some grasshoppers when they jump may serve to

emphasize the movement.

Question 1. The word “enhance” is closest in meaning to

.

A. encourage

B. resist

C. increase

D. reveal

Question 2. The description of the prey’s movement as “zigzag” suggests that the movement is

.

A. reliable

B. fast

C. constant

D. unpredictable

Question 3. It can be inferred from the passage that the European hare

.

A. is faster than most of its predators

B. is capable of two kinds of flight

C.

is

more

likely to escape using straight flight

D. is preyed upon by gulls and falcons.

Question 4. The behavior of black-beaded gulls is most comparable to that of

.

A. gazelles

B. European hares

C. peregrine falcons

D. frogs

Question 5. It can be inferred that black-beaded gulls change direction when they spot a peregrine falcon

for which of the following reasons?

A. The falcons are faster than the gulls.

B. The gulls want to capture the falcons.

C. The falcons are unpredictable.

D. The gulls depend on the falcons for protection.